We’re off getting hitched in New Orleans. We appreciate your patience. Don’t bother checking for news elsewhere, we’re sure nothing is happening as the country celebrates the marriage of a couple of folks in New Orleans. We’ll return with a vengeance a couple days before the eyes of the nation turn to Athens, Georgia for a presidential candidate cattle call, and oh yeah, a convention of the majority party in Georgia.

We sincerely appreciate your loyal readership and look forward to providing you with great Georgia news in the coming year! This is a fun thing we do and we hope it’s informative and fun for you as well. Thanks for all your support and let’s keep working to make the best Georgia we can!

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) committed to supporting voters throughout Georgia and across the country by serving as an original co-sponsor to H.R. 12, the Voter Empowerment Act of 2015. The bill would extend greater access to citizens at the ballot box, and would more effectively protect voter rights.

“By enhancing voter participation, this bill reflects the true character of the nation, holding leaders more directly accountable to the populations they represent,” said Congressman Bishop. “Modernizing voter registration will improve the integrity of the election system and, during this 50th anniversary of the monumental Voting Rights Act, will serve to advance the mission of equal rights for all Americans.”

“Even if the days of poll taxes, literacy tests, and brutal physical intimidation are behind us, disenfranchisement tactics that aim to suppress voter participation are alive and well. The Voter Empowerment Act eliminates such divisive barriers separating voters from the ballot box and takes advantage of modern technology to bring our elections into the 21st Century,” concluded Bishop.

Introduced by Congressmen John Lewis (GA), James Clyburn (SC), Steny Hoyer (MD), John Conyers (MI), and Robert Brady (PA), the Voter Empowerment Act draws support from dozens of Members of Congress, House Caucuses and civil rights advocacy groups. Among other important provisions, the Act would enable same-day voter registration, create a national voter protection hotline, and establish mandatory paper trail and voting machine standards. It would also allow online voter registration, expand early voting, ensure the equitable allocation of polling place resources, and prohibit voter caging and other deceptive practices that deter people from exercising their constitutional right to vote.

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For more updates from Washington and the Gold Dome, don’t forget to check out our main site: thatsjustpeachy.com

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S.Congressman Rick Allen (R-Ga.-12) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the House-passed FY2016 budget resolution, H. Con. Res. 27, which balances in less than 10 years, includes meaningful spending cuts, and promotes greater economic opportunity for hardworking Americans and future generations.

“I believe a balanced budget is the first step towards restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington and putting our country on the right track. That’s why one of my first acts in Congress was to cosponsor a balanced budget amendment to our Constitution, and that’s why I supported the House Republican budget resolution today. This budget plan takes action to rein in government spending and address our nation’s unacceptable debt crisis. Unlike the President’s budget, which never balances despite $2 trillion in tax increases, this plan will balance the budget in less than 10 years without a single tax increase.

“The House budget eases burdens on American families and businesses by fully repealing ObamaCare and promoting a simpler, fairer tax code. I’m also pleased by provisions in this budget that bolster defense spending to train and equip our men and women in uniform and protect our national defense.

“I thank House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price for his leadership on this plan to help hardworking Americans today and strengthen our economy for the future. With the great economic challenges our country faces, it’s imperative we make the difficult budgetary decisions now to ensure opportunity for our children and grandchildren. This budget moves our country in the right direction and builds a stronger economy that empowers the American people rather than Washington, D.C.”

The House FY2016 Budget Resolution includes key provisions to:

Balance the budget in less than 10 years without raising taxes

Cut $5.5 trillion in government spending – the most significant spending reduction included in a House Budget Committee proposal

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) today voted in support of A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America, the House Republican budget for the coming year. The proposal would balance the budget in less than 10 years without raising taxes in contrast to the budget proposal put forward by the Obama Administration which never balances despite $2.1 trillion in new taxes.

“Our national debt is the single biggest threat to our national security and, unchecked, threatens to leave future generations to a life indebted to China,” Carter said. “It is time for Washington to balance its budget just like working families, small businesses, and states, counties, and municipalities do every day. Our budget focuses on accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness across the federal government and on empowering states to implement their own solutions free of Washington’s overregulation.”

“A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America repeals Obamacare in full, provides the foundation for a strong economy by simplifying our antiquated tax code, works to keep our nation safe while providing for the brave men and women who protect us, and saves vital programs like Medicare. Hardworking taxpayers deserve a budget that enacts true reforms and this budget is the right path to create a better America for our children and grandchildren.”

Key provisions of A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America include:

balancing the budget in less than 10 years without raising taxes;

cutting $5.5 trillion in spending;

repealing Obamacare in full – including all its taxes, regulations, and mandates;

providing for a strong national defense through robust funding of troop training, equipment and compensation;

strengthening Medicare by making structural improvements to save the program; and

promoting innovation and flexibility for Medicaid, nutrition assistance, education and other programs by empowering states.

In addition to A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America, Carter voted in support of the budget proposal put forward by the Republican Study Committee which would balance the budget in six years, reduce discretionary spending, reform Medicare, repeal Obamacare, and enact tax reform.

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For more updates from Washington & the Gold Dome, don’t forget to check our main site: thatsjustpeachy.com

A letter to the Editor from Conrad Quagliaroli of the Cherokee Tea Party Patriots:

Dear Editor:

In my opinion, the REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS TWO YEARS TO LIVE! On the subject of defunding President Obama’s executive order on immigration (in his words, “changing the law”), after he himself stated on twenty-two different occasions, that the Constitution did not give him that power, the Republicans capitulated…again.

I became involved in politics because of the bold Contract with America presented by the Republicans in 1994. Since that time, the Republicans have done little to advance the Conservative Cause. In 1998 (just five years after their “revolution”) they produced an Omnibus Spending Bill filled with pork. The Bush administration doubled our national debt to 10 trillion dollars, in 2010 they promised to cut $100 billion out of the budget but didn’t, they claimed they wanted to repeal Obamacare but can’t even cut its funding, which is well within their ability and last year, the Republicans in Congress (with the help of eager Democrats) produced a pork filled Cromnibus Bill. And just now, broke their promise to defund, what THEY said, was President Obamas’ illegal executive order.

The Republicans in Washington have become a joke. The Democrats use them as punching bags and outsmart them at every turn. Observing them is like watching your favorite professional football team fumble the ball EVERY time they get it. After a while you are compelled by frustration, to jump up and say; “for Heavens’ sakes, hold on to the ball, I can do better than that!”

Conservative Republicans back home are getting, tired, angry and frustrated with the broken promises and cowardice of Washington Republicans. This is like Lucy and the football, over and over again. After a while, you begin to feel a little foolish rooting and voting for, what is generally considered the “Stupid Party.” And if the Republicans don’t do something bold in the next two years and continue to be “too stupid to explain their positons and too cowardly to defend them” I believe in 2016, twenty million people are going to give up on them and join the four million who did not bother to vote in 2012.

Mark your calendar and RSVP to attend a most salient meeting of the Buckhead Freedom Coalition on March 10th regarding The Threat of ISIS & Shar’ia Law to U.S. Sovereignty from 7pm-9pm at the Lindbergh Taco Mac.

Come educate yourself and get the facts to share with others in your sphere of influence. Remember, the courtesy of a reply and updating your status are most appreciated and help with proper planning. RSVP via email at BuckheadFreedomCoalition@gmail.com, or text/call 404-422-0675.

There are few things more important to any community than transportation, and the same goes for any business. No matter what size or location our communities need safe, efficient connectivity for both residents and businesses. This is why improving Georgia’s transportation infrastructure has long been a focus of the Georgia Chamber and why it is our highest priority for the 2015 legislative session.

The problem is simple. While Georgia has continued to grow, our investments in transportation have not kept pace. A recent study concluded that the current level of funding is at least $1 billion less than the state actually needs to maintain roads, repair bridges and improve infrastructure. New roads or intersections, transit, rail or airport improvements will cost several billion more.

Georgia needs more funding, and the longer we wait the more we will need. House Transportation Chairman Jay Roberts has proposed legislation that will help to close our funding gap, strengthen our communities, and ensure that our state remains economically competitive.

The Transportation Funding Act will first and foremost create close to $1 billion in new funding that will benefit every region by shortening maintenance schedules and moving needed projects forward. The legislation maximizes existing revenue, and it protects those communities that passed the regional transportation sales tax two years ago. The main provision of the bill is a shift from a state sales tax to an excise tax on motor fuels that will ensure all money collected through transportation will be spent for transportation. It will also provide more predictability to the transportation budgeting process as excise taxes do not fluctuate with the price of oil or changes in the economy.

Second, it will reduce our reliance on the federal government. Today, Georgia depends on federal funding for over 50% of our transportation budget compared to 27% in Florida and 25% in North Carolina. Why is this important? Because politics and bureaucrats in Washington, DC, can and do hold up the reimbursement process, which is only becoming more unreliable. Adding $1 billion in new state funds would reduce our reliance by at least 15% – meaning that fewer projects would be impacted when federal funding is delayed.

Finally, it will allow us to remain economically competitive. While Georgia has an incredible network of transportation assets that have allowed us to effectively compete for jobs and investment, share our products with the world, and connect our communities – that network is in jeopardy if it is not maintained or expanded to accommodate growth. What happens if we do not make additional investments? It will take Georgians even longer to get to work or school, traffic will increase on our roads and highways, and our safety will be at risk as needed repairs are delayed.

Since the bill’s introduction there has been much debate and a number of issues raised by county and city governments along with school boards have been addressed. Changes like these are part of the process for any legislation of this scope and there could be more to come, which is why as it moves through the process it is important to stay focused on what it will actually accomplish.

Transportation funding is not just an investment in roads, rails and ports, it is an investment in our future. Our needs will only grow larger and more expensive the longer we wait to address them. We are hopeful that the General Assembly will reach consensus on this critical issue before they adjourn and encourage all Georgians to express their support to our elected leaders as they make decisions that will impact us for decades to come.

The Dustin Inman Society today released the results a survey of Georgia general election voters on the subject of jobs and immigration. The survey, conducted on February 10-11, 2015 for the Dustin Inman Society by Rosetta Stone Communications, sampled 743 Georgia registered voters and has been weighted for age, gender & race.

“We asked clear, straightforward questions on the topic of jobs, immigration and enforcement that reflect the real world and offered genuine, commonsense choices. While likely not surprising to most working Americans, the margins in the responses should be regarded as guidance to elected officials that most of the people can’t be fooled most of the time. The majority of Georgians comprehend the connection of employment and wages to the importation of large numbers of foreign workers and incrementally deferring to legally dubious executive amnesty decrees from Barack Obama” said D.A. King, president of the DIS. Continue reading “Jobs and Immigration: Most Georgians Pro-Enforcement” »

“It is an outrage that President Obama has decided to let his political pettiness stand in the way of thousands of jobs and lower energy prices for the American people.

The President even had the audacity to say that the legislation ‘cuts short thorough consideration of issues that could bear on our national interest – including our security, safety, and environment.’ The project has been under consideration for more than six years! There is no question that it is vital to our national security and it’s time for the President to admit it.

This isn’t the end of this fight and we won’t stop here. This project has strong bipartisan support and the President must join us for the safety and prosperity of the American people and our nation.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S.Congressman Rick Allen (R-Ga.-12) released the following statement after President Obama’s veto of bipartisan legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline:

“It’s extremely disappointing that the President turned his back on the opportunity to approve a shovel-ready infrastructure project that will grow jobs, help lower energy prices for families and businesses and strengthen America’s energy security. Congress approved this legislation with bipartisan support. Reports by the President’s own State Department have found that building the Keystone XL pipeline will create tens of thousands of jobs. Yet, the President chose to ignore these facts and instead look out for his own political interests by vetoing this commonsense jobs bill. Despite the President’s actions, this fight will continue, and hopefully we can work to move this project forward for the American people.”